Sooby,
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond so thoroughly. My reasons for pruning are to prepare for winter, shape, promote new growth, remove dead ends and branches. I've been very fortunate in that only one bush has had insect issues. But we'll see how it does this year.
Sadly my Russian Sage after a number of years died. I replanted the salvaged roots, but not optimistic. Usually I left them unpruned during the winter, but this year (a mild winter by comparison) they broke off from the supports holding them up.
I only grow trees, bushes, perennial flowers and a few hanging basked annuals.
